Vikram Sarabhai, The Father of the Indian Space Program

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Vikram Sarabhai, The Father of the Indian Space Program

Vikram Sarabhai

Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai was an Indian space research scientist and renowned physicist. He is considered the father of the Indian space program. He was the founding chairman of the Indian National Committee for Space Research and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). He was also a founder of the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIM A). The Government of India rewarded him with prestigious Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan.

Family and Education

Vikram Sarabhai was born on 12 August 1919 in Ahmedabad, Bombay Presidency, British India (now in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India). He belongs to the famous 'Sarabhai Family' of India. His father Ambalal Sarabhai was a reputed Industrialist then. His mother was Saraladevi Sarabhai. Sarabhai Family had a great legacy and played an important role in India's independence movement.
Sarabhai's schooling took place in Ahmedabad. Then he got admitted to Gujarat College, Ahmedabad. But he did not complete his graduation from there. He shifted to the University of Cambridge, England for higher studies. He got his B. A (tripos) in Natural Sciences in 1940. He also obtained a PhD in 1947 from the same institution. 
Sarabhai married famous Indian Classical dancer and choreographer Mrinalini in 1942. Their daughter Mallika Sarabhai is a famous Indian Classical dancer and their son Kartikeya Sarabhai is an environmental educator and industrialist.

Research Works

During his doctoral degree at the University of Cambridge, Sarabhai wrote a thesis "Cosmic Ray Investigations in Tropical Latitudes". This research paper was an important and significant document for further researches on cosmic rays and space science.
He founded the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in 1947. He established it at his home at first, as it was easier for him to conduct researches staying at home. This institute was formally established at the M.G. Science Institute, Ahmedabad with the help of the Ahmedabad Education Society and Karmkshetra Educational Foundation. In PRL, Sarabhai focused on cosmic ray researches and the properties of the upper atmosphere. He also researched cosmic rays under Sir CV Raman at the Indian Institue of Science, Bangalore.
Sarabhai initiated a project for the fabrication and launch of an Indian Satellite. It was a great success for Indian space research history. Aryabhata, the first Indian Satellite was put in orbit in 1975 as a direct result of this.
Sarabhai was also a great fan of Indian Culture especially dance and music. He along with his wife Mrinalini Sarabhai founded the Darpana Academy of Performing Arts. It's a school for performing arts in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

Career

Vikram Sarabhai led the Sarabhai Family-owned business for a long time. Apart from this, he was equally interested in Modern Science and Technology. Their family owned a variety of business institutions like Calico Mills, Calico Museum of textiles Jubilee Mills, Kasturba Gandhi Rashtriya Smarak Trust, Shreyas Foundation & School, B.M Institute of Mental Health, Ambalal Sarabhai Enterprise and so on. Being a complete businessman, Sarabhai held a lot of important positions in the science research and technology sector. 
  • President of the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy, Vienna in 1970.
  • Founder and chairman of the Space Applications Centre.
  • President of the Physics Section, Indian Science Congress in 1962.
  • Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission of India during 1966-1971 after the death of physicist Homi J Bhabha.
  • Vice President of the UN conference on "Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy" in 1971.
Sarabhai set of or helped to set up many institutes. Some of the most notable institutes are the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIM A), Nehru Foundation for Development, Ahmedabad, Ahmedabad Textile Industry's Research Association, The Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology and many more across the country.

Awards and Recognition

Vikram Sarabhai was successful as a scientist and a businessman as well. He and his institutions achieved a lot of national and international acknowledgements for their tremendous works in the space research field. As he was the pioneer of Indian Space Research, almost all notable works are done by ISRO even after his death got inspiration from him.
  • Chandrayaan-2, the lander of India's moon mission was named "Vikram" in his honour.
  • Indian Space Research Organizations's (ISRO) lead facility for bunch vehicle development located in Thiruvananthapuram Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre is named after him.
  • Vikram A Sarabhai Community Science Centre in Ahmedabad is named after him
  • Indian Postal Department released a commemorative postal stamp on his first death anniversary in 1972.
  • The International Astronomical Union decided lunar crater, Bessel A, in the Sea of Serenity will be known as the Sarabhai Crater in 1973.
  • ISRO announced the "Vikram Sarabhai Journalism Award in Space Science Technology and Research" in the name of him on his 100th birth anniversary in 2019.
  • The government of India awarded him with the Padma Bhushan in 1966 and the Padma Vibhushan (Posthumously) in 1972.

Death

Vikram Sarabhai died on 30 December 1971 in Halcyon Castle, Trivandrum, Kerala, India. It was due to a severe due to a severe cardiac arrest. He was only 52 then.

The establishment of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) was one of his greatest achievements. He initiated to convince the government of the importance of a space programme. Now ISRO is one of the best space research organizations in the world.


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